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Adventure travel is an industry that has grown considerably in recent years. Part of the reason for its increasing popularity is the access that travelers now have to the world. These days, you can get to all kinds of far-flung places with relative ease and enjoy adventures that most people probably never imagined in the past. Also, more and more destinations around the globe are becoming aware of their home region’s ability to satisfy adventure-minded travelers, so the choices of where to go and what to do are only increasing. Basically, if you can dream it up, it is likely possible.

Hiking & Trekking

Hiking & Trekking

Many travelers make hiking and trekking the focus of their adventure-based escapes. These are activities that can usually be enjoyed close to home, but since adventure travel tends to involve getting out of your comfort zone, you might prefer instead to zip off to a place more distant and exotic. Heading to Peru and hiking along the Inca Trail is just one idea. Your reward at the end of the hike is a visit to the lost city of Machu Picchu, and there is plenty to take in along the way. Other examples of exotic destinations that are often targeted by hikers and trekkers are Nepal and New Zealand. With their lofty mountains, these countries are also ideal for mountain climbing. In Nepal, getting to the top of Mt. Everest is something that many climbers hope to achieve. New Zealand mountain climbing and trekking is often done in the beautiful Southern Alps. It is interesting to note that Sir Edmund Hillary trained in New Zealand’s Southern Alps before making his historic Mt. Everest climb in 1953.

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater Rafting

If you want a thrill, going whitewater rafting is a good way to get one. Of course, the stronger the rapids, the bigger the thrill. Some of the strongest rapids on the planet can be found along certain stretches of the Colorado River as it passes through the Grand Canyon. This has something to do with the Grand Canyon section of the Colorado River often being referred to as the "granddaddy of rafting trips." Another great whitewater rafting option for those who are targeting the United States is the Salmon River in Idaho. Both single and multiple day trips on this river can be arranged, and as is true in the Grand Canyon, the scenery is spectacular. Ideas for whitewater rafting outside of the United States include, but certainly aren’t limited to, the Futaleufu River in Chile, the Navua River in Fiji and the Zambezi River in Zambia - both above and below magnificent Victoria Falls.

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Mixing sightseeing with physical activities is very much what adventure travel is all about. A good way to do this is to go cycling or mountain biking. Cycling generally involves biking along well-established roadways, whereas mountain biking is more about the off-road experience. Europe is a continent that many people understandably choose to explore on cycling tours. It offers plenty of well-established roads and an overwhelming amount of sights to see. Of course, you can always look to go mountain biking in Europe as well. There are numerous opportunities for that in the Alps and beyond. The same can be said about the Rocky Mountains. When the snow melts in this prominent North American mountain chain, cyclers can be seen in good number on the roadways and mountain biking enthusiasts can access great trails at regional parks and ski resorts. Should a destination that’s a little more exotic be what you have in mind for your next great cycling or mountain biking adventure, there are options there as well. In Vietnam, for example, you can take a cycling tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Serving as a backdrop for parts of the route are jungles, rice paddies and beaches.

Wildlife Safaris

Wildlife Safaris

Wildlife safaris in Africa certainly bring with them the promise of adventure. In Kenya, for example, you can witness the dramatic wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara National Reserve while also checking out the big cats that come searching for prey. Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is another good place to see wildebeest migrations, among other things, and South Africa’s Kruger National Park is home to Africa’s Big Five – elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and buffalos. Outside of Africa, the country of India presents travelers with an interesting safari destination. For starters, it boasts an extensive national park system and almost 90,000 living species. Wild tigers, rhinos, elephants and Himalayan snow leopards are just some of the fascinating creatures that you can hope to see on an India safari.

Family Adventure Travel

Family Adventure Travel

Some adventure travel packages cater exclusively to families and can offer a great alternative to something more common, such as visiting another amusement park. Possible experiences that can be enjoyed on adventure-based family trips include kayaking in Alaska, riding horses in New Mexico, viewing unique wildlife in the Galapagos, taking a Mt. Kilimanjaro trek and seeing lava erupt at Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica. The list certainly doesn’t end there, and since so many different companies offer family adventure packages, it can be a good idea to consider as many options as possible when trying to find the right fit. Some organizations can even help families arrange customized adventure travel packages.